Sarah Long Bridge to be Closed Until Memorial Day?

New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials say the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge will not reopen to motor vehicle traffic until Memorial Day Weekend because of the repairs that are needed.

William Boynton, the state agency's public information officer, said Thursday morning, "We are very comfortable that the Long Bridge can be repaired and reopened by May 25, but hopefully sooner."

Boynton said the reason for the longer than expected bridge closure is because of "a more detailed damage assessment, the need to build in-water support staging before the repair work can be done, and the decision bring in a subcontractor to perform heat straightening work on the bent lower chord of the bridge."

On Wednesday, Boynton said Cianbro will begin structural repairs on the bridge this Sunday after a barge, crane and construction materials are floated up the Piscataqua River to do that work on Thursday.

The Sarah Mildred Long Bridge was closed to all motor vehicle traffic on Monday, April 1 after the Harbour Feature tanker, which was carrying a cargo of tallow oil, broke free from its moorings at the New Hampshire State Pier slammed into the bridge.

New Hampshire DOT officials announced later in the week the tanker caused $2.5 million of damage to four steel bridge members on the Portsmouth side of the span.